Religion
Definition
A system of faith and worship; it often involves belief in a higher power or powers, a set of beliefs about the universe's nature and purpose, and practices for expressing those beliefs.
Analogy
Religion is like a lens through which people view and interpret the world around them. It helps to shape their understanding of life, much like how different lenses on a camera can change how an image appears.
Related terms
Monotheism: The belief in one god. This is seen in religions such as Christianity, Islam, and Judaism.
Polytheism: The belief in many gods. Ancient Greek and Roman religions were polytheistic, as is Hinduism today.
Agnosticism/Atheism: Agnosticism is the view that the existence of God or gods is unknown or unknowable. Atheism is the lack of belief in any god or gods.
"Religion" appears in:
Subjects (7)
Study guides (1)
Practice Questions (10)
Which religion was widely popular during the era of the Northern Renaissance?
What was a significant effect on religion during the era of New Monarchies?
What role did religion play among European colonial rivals during early exploration versus later imperialism?
Who was a key philosopher during the Enlightenment who promoted freedom of speech, religion, and separation of church and state?
How did religion influence the development of both Mannerist and Baroque arts?
How did Louis XIV's and Peter the Great's approaches to absolutism differ, specifically in terms of religion?
What period of time in Europe was characterized by an emphasis on reason, skepticism about religion, and cultural evolution?
What did the Enlightenment promote in relation to religion and tradition?
In what social philosophy did thinkers reject traditional ideas about religion and embrace reason, first emerging in Europe during the Enlightenment?
What was one consequence of Charles Darwin's theory of evolution on religion during this period?
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